1 lb Macaroni
9oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese
3/4 lb of a good smoky bacon
1/4 cup Melinda XXXReserve Hot Sauce
1/4 flour
1/2 gallon Whole Milk

Dice the bacon and put in frying pan with 1 cup of water over medium heat.  This allows the bacon fat to render before the bacon cooks, this gives you great crispy bacon bits.  After the bacon is done reomve and drain all fat except for 2 Tbls.  Mix flour in with the reserved bacon fat try to coat as much of the flour as possible.  After the roux is as close to a paste as you can get it add the milk and stir until there are no lumps.  As the milk thickens and starts to simmer add the cheese stirring until the whole thing is a smooth cheese pan’o’happiness.  Add the Melinda’s hot sauce.  This is a mild sauce if you want it hotter try Blairs After Death, if I was making this just for me that is what I would have used.  Cook macoroni make sure it is undercooked because it will finish cooking in the oven.  Mix the the Mac with the Cheese and add the bacon.  Bake at 425 for 30 minutes or until the top is brown and bubbly.

PS In this recipe I used a cup of Blue Cheese but it did not add anything to the equation.  Those of you how ‘LOVE’ the blue, you know who you are, feel free to use it.